Ethan Clarke
Plastic tubs are difficult to recycle due to their size and composition. While some local governments accept plastic tubs for recycling, alternative options include reusing them for storage, donating them to thrift stores or charities, or repurposing them for other uses such as planters, furniture, or decorative pieces. Removing printed ink from plastic containers can also make them more aesthetically pleasing for reuse.
What to do with old plastic tubs
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reuse | Use for storing frozen food, spices, stationery, crafts, makeup, bathroom essentials, pet food, gifts, yarn, ribbons, etc. |
| Recycle | Check for the recycling symbol. Numbers 1, 2, and 5 are usually recyclable. |
| Repurpose | Plastic tubs can be used as worm bins, or to hold recyclable materials. |
| Donate | Thrift stores, local charities, childcare centers, senior centers, and schools may be able to use plastic tubs for storage. |
| Sell | Sell to someone who might want them, or for scrap. |
| Planters | Old plastic tubs can be used as inexpensive containers to plant flowers and grow vegetables. |
| Furniture | Old plastic tubs can be repurposed into sofas, chairs, or benches. |
| Water features | Plastic tubs can be used to collect rainwater or to create a pond in the garden. |
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What You'll Learn
Use them for storage
Plastic tubs can be reused in a variety of ways. They can be used for storage and organisation, for example, in desk drawers to organise stationery items such as paper clips, rubber bands, and binder clips. Small containers can be used to store spices bought in bulk, which is cheaper and less wasteful than buying packaged spices. They can also be used to store frozen food, keeping it from accidentally spilling and being easier to stack than tied-off bags.
If you have a lot of old plastic tubs, you can use them to store items you are planning to donate, such as taking them to local charity shops, schools, nurseries, day centres, and care homes.
Before reusing plastic tubs, you may want to remove any print on the containers. This can be done simply by using rubbing alcohol or acetone-based nail polish remover and some cotton balls.
If you are looking to use the tubs for food storage, ensure that they are food-grade plastic and are safe for reuse.
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Donate to thrift stores
If your plastic tubs are still in good shape, consider donating them to a thrift store. Thrift stores such as Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and The Salvation Army accept a wide range of gently used items, including household goods, furniture, appliances, and more.
To donate to Goodwill, you can locate the Goodwill headquarters responsible for your area and find a donation center near you. Goodwill accepts various household items, such as kitchenware, small appliances, bedding, furniture, home decor, and electronics. Your donations will help provide valuable employment training and job placement services for people facing challenges in finding employment in your community.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore is another excellent option for donating your plastic tubs. They accept new and gently used appliances, furniture, building materials, household goods, and more. Each ReStore location is unique, and many also accept items outside these categories. Donating items to a Habitat ReStore helps raise money to build decent and affordable housing for families in need. You can locate the nearest ReStore by entering your ZIP code on their website or by calling to confirm donation hours, which may differ from store hours.
The Salvation Army Thrift Stores also welcome donations of gently used items, including appliances, clothing, furniture, electronics, home goods, and other items. You can schedule a free donation pickup or find a drop-off location near you. The proceeds from the sale of donated items at Salvation Army stores fund their Adult Rehabilitation Centers, which provide assistance to individuals struggling with substance abuse issues.
By donating your plastic tubs to thrift stores, you not only declutter your space but also contribute to worthy causes that positively impact your community. Your donations can help organizations provide essential items to families, empower individuals through job training and placement services, and support rehabilitation programs for those facing substance abuse challenges.
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Create a worm bin
Plastic tubs can be reused to create a worm bin. This is a simple, cost-effective, and eco-friendly way to dispose of old plastic tubs.
Firstly, it is important to choose the right container. It is recommended to use an opaque bin, as worms are sensitive to light. The bin should also have a depth of at least 6 inches to support aeration and moisture retention.
Once you have chosen your bin, you will need to create a drainage system. Drill several holes in the sides of the bin, about 1-2 inches below the rim. If using a single container, drill holes in the bottom and place the bin on a tray to catch the liquid. Alternatively, you can use two containers, drilling holes in the bottom of both and using one lid as a tray. You can also glue a fine screen over the holes to prevent fruit flies or other small invertebrates from entering.
Next, you will need to create bedding for the worms. Shred newspaper, cardboard, or paper towels into 1-inch pieces or narrow strips. Moisten the bedding with water until it is about as damp as a wrung-out sponge. Fill the bin about two-thirds full with bedding and gently add the worms.
Now, you can start feeding your worms. Feed them approximately three times their weight per week, in fruit and vegetable scraps. Bury the food scraps under the bedding and cover them with a layer of bedding. Place a full sheet of dry newspaper on top to help maintain moisture and prevent odours and fruit flies.
Finally, cover the bin with a lid and choose a spot away from windows and heaters. Monitor the bin weekly to see if the worms are eating the food and adjust feeding levels accordingly.
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Recycle them
If you have old plastic tubs that are still in good condition, you can recycle them by donating them to thrift stores, local charities, childcare centres, senior centres, or schools. These organizations can reuse the tubs for various purposes.
You can also repurpose the tubs yourself. For example, you can use them to organize office supplies, as scoops for pet food, or as containers for small gifts. You can also use them to store frozen food, bulk goods, or spices.
Before reusing plastic containers, you may want to remove the print. To do this, use rubbing alcohol or acetone-based nail polish remover and cotton balls to wipe away the ink.
If you are unable to reuse the tubs yourself and cannot find an organization that will take them, you may need to cut them into smaller pieces and place them in a trash bag. Some curbside recycling programs may accept plastic tubs, but this is uncommon. Check with your local government or waste management agency to see if they have alternative places to take plastic items for recycling. Some private companies also run recycling programs that may accept plastic tubs.
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Make them into furniture
Plastic tubs can be challenging to recycle, but they can be reused in many creative ways. One way to upcycle plastic tubs is to turn them into furniture.
The Precious Plastic community has been experimenting with creating furniture from recycled plastic. They have shared various techniques and video tutorials on how to transform plastic waste into furniture. The Sheetpress and Extruder PRO machines are commonly used to make larger furniture pieces like tables and chairs. The raw sheets produced by the Sheetpress machine can be used as tabletops or stool tops, or they can be machined to make more detailed parts. The Extruder machine can create beams that can be used as wood or metal, providing interesting patterns and subtle details to furniture designs.
The design possibilities with recycled plastic furniture are endless. For example, combining different coloured sheets can mimic the look of traditional materials like stone or terrazzo. Recycled plastic furniture can also showcase the strength, durability, and beauty of the material.
Several companies are already creating furniture from recycled plastic. For instance, Eco Birdy, based in Antwerp, creates furniture like the Richard Armchair and Judy Side Table from recycled plastic toys. Norwegian Trash uses waste plastic to create furniture like the Resurface 01 Table, which resembles stone more than lightweight plastic. Luken offers flat-pack furniture made from HDPE plastic, with each piece recycling 600 bottles of polyethylene.
If you're feeling creative and want to try making your own furniture from plastic tubs, you can find inspiration and tutorials from the Precious Plastic community or other sources online. You can also explore upcycling techniques to create unique and sustainable furniture pieces.
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Frequently asked questions
If your plastic tubs are still in good condition, you could donate them to a thrift store, local charity shop, schools, nurseries, day centres or care homes.
Plastic tubs cannot be recycled in your curbside recycling bin. However, there are alternative recycling centres that may accept them. Check online for your nearest location.
Plastic tubs can be reused in a variety of ways. They can be used for storage, such as for stationery, crafts, or pet food. They can also be used for planting or as a worm bin.
